Making Sense of Suffering and God’s Silence
Introduction
Everyone, at some point, wonders why bad things happen and why God doesn’t seem to step in. When disasters strike or innocent people hurt, it can feel like God is quiet or distant. This question isn’t new—it’s been asked through history, especially in times of deep pain. Even people who are faithful, like Christians, can be confused by God’s silence.
Modern Voices Echo Ancient Questions
Even today, big thinkers and everyday people wrestle with these questions. Pope Benedict, visiting Auschwitz, said that words fail in the face of great evil, leaving only a heavy silence—a silence that feels like a cry to God: “Why did you stay silent?” Elie Wiesel, who survived the Holocaust, wrote about seeing horrors and wondering, “Where is God now?” Habakkuk, an Old Testament prophet, did the same: “God, is there any reason for what’s happening? Why are you letting this go on?”
Habakkuk’s Honest Cry
Habakkuk doesn’t point a judgmental finger at God. Instead, he voices a heartfelt complaint: “How long, Lord, will I cry for help and you won’t listen?” He sees violence, injustice, and suffering all around, and it feels like God is doing nothing. Habakkuk is a person of faith—he keeps praying, even when it feels useless. He knows what God is supposed to be like—a powerful, just God who defends the innocent and punishes the wicked—but nothing seems to be happening.
When God Seems Absent
Habakkuk is upset at how the world looks. He sees evil everywhere: people hurting each other, laws ignored, justice twisted. The good people are outnumbered by the bad. It’s not just about his country—Habakkuk is bothered that God’s ways seem ignored by society. He wonders, “If it matters to me, doesn’t it matter to God?” Even today, many feel that God stands up for the underdog, but sometimes it feels like God is nowhere to be found.
Is It Okay to Question God?
The story of Habakkuk shows that it’s okay to ask hard questions, as long as we do it with an open heart. Habakkuk wasn’t ignoring God—he prayed, he cared, and he had compassion. His questions came from faith, not from anger or blame. God isn’t upset by honest questions when we’re struggling to understand.
God’s Surprising Answer
Eventually, God replies to Habakkuk. God says, “Look at the nations and be amazed. I’m doing something you wouldn’t believe even if you were told.” In other words, God is working on a much bigger scale than Habakkuk can see. History is a massive puzzle, and God sees the whole picture.
God tells Habakkuk that He will use the Babylonians—people who were known for being cruel and ruthless—to accomplish His plans. While this doesn’t make sense to Habakkuk, God is using even flawed people and painful events for His purpose. Sometimes, God’s timing seems slow, but He gives people chances to change. When God finally acts, He does it decisively.
God’s Ways Are Complex
God doesn’t just work with one group or one nation. He cares about everyone, and sometimes uses surprising methods. For example, He allowed Babylon to rise and conquer, even though they were harsh. What looked like chaos or evil was actually part of God’s plan. In the end, God would deal with Babylon’s actions, too.
God Uses Imperfect People
Sometimes, God brings good out of bad situations. Even when people do wrong, God can work through it to help others and bring change. After the exile in Babylon, the Jewish people never turned to foreign gods again. It’s a reminder that God knows how to use everything—even pain and evil—for a greater good.
How Should We Respond?
Rather than just asking “why,” maybe we should ask:
· “God, what are you trying to teach me?”
· “Is there something I need to change?”
· “What do you want to develop in me?”
God’s answer to Habakkuk is both comforting and challenging. He is in charge of everything, and His plans are greater than we can imagine. Even if we don’t understand, we can trust that God is working things out for good and moving His kingdom toward completion.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 